Preview: Carlisle United vs. Burton Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

On the other hand, the hosts have lost each of their last two matches to fall perilously closer to the relegation zone.

Match preview

Having gained promotion via League Two's play-offs last season, this campaign was always likely to be a tough one for Carlisle, who are competing in the third tier for the first time since 2014.

Indeed, they were last at that level through Paul Simpson's excellent work during his first spell in charge, when he guided them to successive promotions from the National League up to League One between 2004 and 2006.

The 57-year-old has since cemented his legendary status in Cumbria by taking them back to that level for a second time, but four defeats from their last six league games suggests they are going to find it tough to stay there.

That said, they were a matter of minutes away from holding league leaders Portsmouth to a goalless draw at Fratton Park on Saturday, but Conor Shaughnessy broke the visitors' hearts in the third minute of injury time. Carlisle will be desperate to avoid a third straight defeat in midweek.

Based on current form, there would only be one winner at Brunton Park on Tuesday, with Burton taking 17 points from their last five games to soar up the table in recent weeks.

Dino Maamria's side failed to win any of their opening seven matches of the season, with only Cheltenham Town's dreadful run keeping them off the foot of the table, but the Brewers secured their fourth successive win by thrashing Bristol Rovers 4-1 on Saturday.

Ryan Woods' straight red card in the 64th minute proved to be the pivotal moment in the match, as Burton capitalised on their opponents' numerical disadvantage to extend their tight 2-1 lead to a comfortable one during the latter stages of the contest.

While Maamria will be keen to keep his players' feet on the ground, with the contrast of their form across the early stages of the season showing how quickly things change, he will be hopeful that they can display their superiority once again in their next encounter.

Carlisle United League One form:

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L

D

W

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L

Carlisle United form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

L

L

Burton Albion League One form:

D

D

W

W

W

W

Burton Albion form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

W

W

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Team News

After falling at the final hurdle during a backs-against-the-wall performance on the south coast last time out, Simpson may be keen to freshen things up against Burton in order to avoid any mental hangover from their 1-0 defeat to Pompey.

As such, star forward Luke Plange will almost certainly return to the hosts' attack after surprisingly only appearing from the bench during that loss, with Joe Garner likely to make way for him.

Burton, meanwhile, could restore Josh Gordon to their offensive unit after only using the 29-year-old from the bench against Bristol Rovers.

However, Cole Stockton may have to continue to be patient, having only made one league start since joining from Morecambe towards the end of the transfer window.

Carlisle United possible starting lineup:

Holy; Back, Lavelle, Mellish, Armer; McCalmont, Guy, Moxon; Maguire, Plange, Gibson

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Crocombe; Hamer, Moon, Sweeney, Seddon; Baah, Gilligan, Powell, Oshilaja, Gordon; Lubala

We say: Carlisle United 1-2 Burton Albion

Burton have been flying in recent weeks, moving from the relegation zone to the brink of the play-off spots almost in the blink of an eye.

Carlisle, on the other hand, appear set to struggle this season, and we can envisage them falling to a third straight defeat on Tuesday.

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